Health Canada is advising anyone who bought Novodalin B17 — a natural health product claiming to treat cancer — to stop taking it and contact their doctor.
The federal agency says the unauthorized product poses “serious risks to health” because it reportedly contains apricot kernel extract.
The extract may contain amygdalin, which the agency says “has the potential to release cyanide when ingested by humans.”
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The Health Canada statement issued Tuesday says the concentration of amygdalin in the product is unknown, but ingesting low to moderate amounts of cyanide may lead to serious adverse health consequences and high doses may be lethal.
The agency says it has asked the online seller of the pills to stop sales and warns it will take further action.
The product was still on the online merchant’s website early Wednesday, with 100 pills selling for $114.99.